Section 13-01: Instrument Cluster, Conventional
1996 F-150, F-250, F-350, Bronco, F-Super Duty Motorhome Chassis Workshop Manual
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

Symptom Chart — Conventional Instrument Cluster

NOTE: Use Rotunda 88 Digital Multimeter 105-00053 or equivalent to perform Pinpoint Tests.

CONVENTIONAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
ConditionPossible SourceAction
  • Fuel Level Always Reads Empty
  • Circuit.
  • Fuel level sensor.
  • Fuel gauge.
  • Fuel Level Reads Inaccurately
  • Circuit.
  • Fuel Level sensor.
  • Fuel gauge.
  • Fuel Level Always Reads Full
  • Circuit.
  • Fuel level sensor.
  • Fuel gauge.
  • No Fuel Level Indication — Vehicles with Duel Tanks
  • Fuse.
  • Circuit.
  • Switch.
  • Fuel gauge.
  • Fuel level sensor.
  • Coolant Temperature Always Reads Cold
  • Circuit.
  • Coolant sensor.
  • Temperature gauge.
  • Coolant Temperature Always Reads Hot
  • Circuit.
  • Coolant sensor.
  • Temperature gauge.
  • Low coolant.
  • Engine.
  • Coolant Temperature Reads Inaccurately
  • Circuit.
  • Coolant sensor.
  • Temperature gauge.
  • Oil Pressure Always Reads Low
  • Circuit.
  • Oil pressure.
  • Sensor.
  • Oil pressure gauge.
  • Oil Pressure Always Reads High
  • Circuit.
  • Oil.
  • Pressure sensor.
  • Oil pressure gauge.
  • Oil Pressure Reads Inaccurately
  • Circuit.
  • Oil pressure sensor.
  • Oil pressure gauge.
  • Charge Indication Reads Inaccurately
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Voltage gauge.
  • Speedometer/Odometer Reads Inaccurately
  • Circuit.
  • Sensor.
  • PSOM.
  • Speedometer.
  • Speedometer/Odometer Inoperative
  • Circuit.
  • Sensor.
  • PSOM.
  • Speedometer/odometer.
  • Speedometer/Odometer Improper Operation
  • Circuit.
  • Sensor.
  • PSOM.
  • Speedometer/odometer.
  • Speed Control, PCM or Electronic Transmission Inoperative or Erratic
  • Circuit.
  • PSOM.
  • Tachometer Inoperative, Diesel Engine
  • Circuit.
  • Sensor.
  • Tachometer.
  • Tachometer Not Reflecting Engine Speed, Diesel Engine
  • Circuit.
  • Sensor.
  • Tachometer.
  • Tachometer Inoperative, Gasoline Engine
  • Circuit.
  • Sensor.
  • Tachometer Not Reflecting Engine Speed, Gasoline Engine
  • Circuit.
  • Sensor.
  • All Warning Indicators Inoperative
  • Fuse.
  • Circuit.
  • Bulbs.
  • Brake Warning Never/Always On
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Brake fluid level sensor.
  • Brake pedal switch.
  • Charge System Warning Never/Always On
  • Fuse.
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Air Bag Warning Never/Always On
  • Fuse.
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Sensor.
  • Anti-Lock Warning Never/Always On
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Sensor.
  • Turn and High Beam Indicators Never On
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Multi-Function Switch.
  • LH Turn Indicator Never/Always On
  • Multi-Function Switch.
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • RH Turn Indicator Never/Always On
  • Multi-Function Switch.
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • High Beam Warning Never/Always On
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Switch.
  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp Never/Always On
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Switch.
  • REFER to Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis Manual OBDI or OBDII.
  • Heated Back Window Indicator Never/Always On
  • Circuit.
  • Switch.
  • Safety Belt Warning Never/Always On
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Switch.
  • Wait to Start Indicator Never/Always On, Diesel Engine
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • PCM.
  • REFER to Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis Manual OBDI or OBDII.
  • Engine Warning Indicator Never/Always On, Diesel Engine
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • PCM.
  • REFER to Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis Manual OBDI or OBDII.
  • Plugged Fuel Filter Indicator Never/Always On, Diesel Engine
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Fuel Filter.
  • REPAIR or REPLACE as required.
  • Water In-Fuel Indicator Never/Always On, Diesel Engine
  • Circuit.
  • Bulb.
  • Sensor.
  • REPAIR or REPLACE as required.